CARPFEED HERITAGE: Plastic revolution

In 2001 Terry Glebioska broke the British record when he caught Two Tone from Conningbrook at 59lb 7oz using a hookbait that until then was virtually unheard of… plastic corn.

Front-page news in 2001

Terry Glebioska’s capture of Two Tone from Mid-Kent Fisheries’ Conningbrook Lake at the end of March 2001 was notable for a trio of reasons.

First of all, it increased the record by a significant margin – 3lb 1oz.

Secondly, it knocked the mighty mirror known as Mary – which resided in Wraysbury 1 and is considered to be one of the most iconic carp of all time – off the top of the record list after a five-year reign.

Thirdly, and most significantly, it was landed using a bait that up until that point was completely unheard of but would go on to sell countless millions and become a permanent fixture in the tackle box of every carp angler in the land – artificial sweetcorn.

Just under 21 years previously, real sweetcorn had been used by the legendary Chris Yates to catch his famous 51lb 8oz British record from Redmire (though it was never officially claimed), but in the intervening years boilies had come to the fore and had dominated the big-fish scene.

After making his catch Terry gave next to no press interviews or quotes and it was left to Lee Jackson – who himself would go on to catch Two-Tone at a massive 61lb 7oz the year after – to spill the (artifical) beans.